Is GBWhatsapp Safe? 3 Reasons To Avoid Modded Apps

Three years ago, I installed a modified version of Whatsapp named GBWhatsapp. I was fed up with the old and boring version of Whatsapp. At that time, the original Whatsapp was plain and simple. On the other hand, GBWhatsapp app gave dozens of features that were not provided by official Whatsapp.

It seemed such a flawless and high-end app that I proudly flaunted the features of GBWhatsapp. Nonetheless, the features were useful but not really safe.

I quickly realized that it was my mistake to install that application. It was a modded application.

Not just GBWhatsapp but there are too many Whatsapp clones available in the market – Whatsapp Blue, Whatsapp Plus, Whatsapp Gold, FM Whatsapp, Yo Whatsapp, and several others which I don’t even know.

Is GBWhatsapp Safe?

No. Not only GBWhatsapp but none of the Whatsapp clones are safe. Whatsapp has clearly mentioned in their terms of services that they don’t tolerate the altered versions of their application. It can lead to suspension of your account.

What are the Modded Apps?

Programmers make changes in the real code of the App’s APK file to add or remove some features from the real app. They are basically the cracked versions of original Android Apps.

This is only applicable for Android because iOS does not allow 3rd party applications for installation. Another reason why iOS safer than Android but that’s the part of another debate.

Read More | Android vs iOS

What are the modded versions of Whatsapp?

Based on my research, these are some modded versions of Whatsapp.

• GBWhatsapp
• Whatsapp Plus
• Yo Whatsapp
• Whatsapp Gold
• Whatsapp Blue
• FM Whatsapp
• Whatsapp Reform
• Whatsapp Aero
• OG Whatsapp
• Whatsapp Prime
• Whatsapp Indigo
• GBWhatsapp Mini
• Whatsapp jiMOD
• Soula WhatsApp Lite
• YCWhatsApp
• Whatsapp MA
• ZE WhatsApp
• WhatsApp Tweaker
• BSEWhatsApp
• KRWhatsApp

These apps are unofficial. Don’t install them.

3 Reasons Why You Should Not Install GBWhatsapp or Whatsapp Clones

1] Lack of Security & Data Privacy

Whatsapp is not an open-source application. This means that Whatsapp does not allow any random person to make changes in its code and launch as a separate product.

If an application can add features by adding a few lines of code, then it can surely add a few more lines of code to steal your personal data. Certainly, this is possible because there is no free lunch in this world.

Simple logic – why would a company take efforts for your convenience? It will change the code, go against all the odds while doing this illegal business and offer it to you for free?

Hint: Data is the new oil and money churning machine.

Also Read | 10 Types of Malware

Also, there is no end-to-end encryption on these applications. Not only these apps are internally dangerous but anyone can reap the data from the mid-way and nobody would know!

Everyone uses Whatsapp for personal usage and we all have such personal chats which we won’t like if exposed out in public. Would you like it?

2] It is not present on Google Play store or Apple App Store

Do you know why GBWhatsapp is not allowed on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store? Because they don’t comply with the policies and rules.

Google and Apple are very strict when it comes to policies. They ban such apps that don’t comply with their policies. For the same reason, they keep on banning several Chinese Apps because they were always found amid the malicious activities.

Also Read | My Opinions on App Bans

Seems like, these modded apps are also not really following the policies and hence not allowed on stores. They are to be downloaded from third-party malicious websites. This is a huge red flag for any popular application to operate from outside.

3] You will get banned

I am not kidding or claiming on theoretical theories. This happens for real.

Being one of the most viewed writers in Mobile Applications topic on Quora, many of my followers on Quora complain. They complain that Whatsapp has banned their account because they were using modded apps.

[Whatsapp banned several users for using unofficial apps: Firstpost Report]

In fact, Whatsapp has strictly mentioned on its website in its policies to not use GB Whatsapp and Whatsapp Plus. Yes, Whatsapp mentioned the names directly.

You can check it out here: Whatsapp FAQ – About Banned Accounts

In case you found this post insightful, you might also like my Free Ebook ‘Digital Nexus’ where I discussed the safety measures against all types of attacks.

Summarizing

When I used to use GB Whatsapp, my phone was infected with adware which reflected way too many ads on my phone. Thankfully, it was my old phone.
Also, my phone got slowed down to the malicious infections pushed by that app. You will notice the sluggishness on your phone.

Remember these 3 points:

1. There is no free lunch which can lead to the compromise of your private data and security
2. Google & Apple don’t approve such apps because they violate policies
3. Whatsapp does not approve to clone their app and make it publicly available for everyone – your account is at risk

I highly recommend using official Whatsapp only. Avoid using such modded applications.

P2